History

Guillemot Corporation: Two strong brands with passion

Listed on the stock market since 1998 and active in this field since 1984, the Guillemot Corporation has become a major player in the interactive entertainment market. Specializing in the design and manufacture of hardware and accessories for PC and game consoles, Guillemot Corporation bases its development strategy around its two brands: Hercules® for video, audio, Wi-Fi and Power Line Communication solutions; and Thrustmaster® for PC and console gaming accessories, for users ranging from hardcore to casual gamers.Currently present in eleven countries, the Guillemot Corporation Group significantly expanded its geographic distribution coverage in 2010/2011, growing from thirty-five to more than fifty countries worldwide.

Thrustmaster: A distinguished gaming pedigreeFounded in 1992 and purchased by Guillemot Corporation in 1999, Thrustmaster has been proud to bring all of its know-how and technological expertise to the video game accessories market. For nearly twenty years, Thrustmaster has developed solutions to satisfy and entertain every type of gamer, by creating products for highly precise gaming experiences – such as racing wheels and joysticks – along with fun accessories for gaming console, as well as targeting essential needs such as storage and charging.

To increase the levels of realism and immersion to legendary gaming worlds, Thrustmaster has always put an emphasis developing products and accessories which benefit from prestigious licenses Reflecting its core values of "Passion, Innovation and Quality," Thrustmaster’s goal is to allow users to enjoy a genuinely exceptional experience with its products, and make their gaming dreams a reality.

1992

Thrustmaster is created in the USA: a brand specializing in the development of high-end joysticks.Thrustmaster’s teams are trained by engineers and pilots from the U.S. Air Force, the Navy and NASA. They develop the “Millennium” joystick under NASA license.

1999

In the field of gaming accessories, Guillemot Corporation becomes one of the worldwide leaders in racing wheels and joysticks for PC with the acquisition of the Hardware and Accessories activities of the American Thrustmaster® group.

The first Ferrari® wheel replica is born: the FERRARI 360 MODENA.

2000

The Firestorm® range of gamepads is released under the Guillemot brand: its unique, customized shape is designed to never go out of fashion.

2001

Thrustmaster takes part in the famous E3 trade show in Los Angeles for the first time.

The first products allowing users to move their bodies for unique interactivity – and total immersion – in games are unveiled: the Freestyler Board (surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding), Freestyler Bike (bicycle/motorcycle racing) and Fightingarena (combat).

2002

Thrustmaster’s HOTAS COUGAR TM is launched: a replica of the flight controls on the legendary F-16 jet fighter aircraft, in partnership with the U.S. Air Force.

The first Ferrari F1 wheel based on the wheel used by the F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher is launched.

The Tacticalboard, a keyboard for hardcore gamers featuring a very unique and tailored design, hits store shelves.

Launch of a new range of accessories dedicated to the new Sony PSP® console.

2006

Thrustmaster teams up with the Virtual Thunderbirds, bringing the most advanced flight stick on the market to the most skilled hands in aerial simulation.

2007 – February:

A new range of accessories for the Nintendo® Wii ®TM and DS TM Lite consoles is released, along with new universal, innovative multi-format Run’N’Drive gamepads for the European launch of Sony’s PS3® TM console.

2007 – November

Thrustmaster launches a new line of joysticks dedicated to flight simulation games.

2008:

Thrustmaster continues to refresh its line of joysticks with the T-Flight HOTAS X, a model featuring presets for the most popular flight simulation games on the market.

Thrustmaster launches its first Disney-licensed products in the European market, the Toy Story Mania Ray Gun.

2010 – May:

A new concept is unveiled: the FERRARI WIRELESS GT COCKPIT 430 SCUDERIA EDITION. Foldable and wireless, it allows gamers to experience using a complete, all-in-one cockpit-style wheel and pedal set that is fully adjustable to the size of all players, anywhere they like – including in the comfort of their living room, seated on a couch or chair.

2010 – June:

A very special preview is given at the California Science Center during E3, unveiling the successor to Thrustmaster’s famed HOTAS Cougar joystick, developed in close collaboration with the international community of flight sim fans: the U.S. Air Force-licensed HOTAS WARTHOGTM.

2010 – July:

The FERRARI WIRELESS GT COCKPIT 430 SCUDERIA EDITION was ranked “Product of the month” and crowned “Number one wheel” in the July/August edition of the Spanish magazine Playmania.

2010 – August:

At the German Gamescom video game trade fair, Thrustmaster unveils its new products featuring Cars, Epic Mickey, Fairies and TRON Disney licenses.

2010 – December:

Thrustmaster launches the T500 RS: a wheel and pedal set with official Gran Turismo® 5 and PlayStation®3 licenses. A true simulator, the T500 RS combines power and precision for unique and realistic immersion in games.

2011 – January:

The HOTAS WARTHOG receives the "Innovation Prize" for gaming accessories at the CES trade show in Las Vegas.

The American website SimHQ.com names the HOTAS WARTHOG “Best of 2010 Simulations” in the PC hardware category.

The French website ère Numérique gives the T500 RS a score of 9 on 10, praising it for its “millimetric precision, with high-quality and powerful Force Feedback.”

Panasonic Japan selects Thrustmaster to enrich the gaming experience of its customers.

2011 – February:

The English magazine PC Pilot calls the HOTAS WARTHOG a “masterpiece,” and gives it its Platinum award.

2011 – May:

A new Disney-licensed range of products is launched: Cars 2 accessories, available for PS3™, Wii™ and DSTMi .

2011 – August:

Thrustmaster stands out at the Gamescom trade fair in Germany with their very special “motorhome” concept: its marketing teams demo the brand’s latest products inside a customized vehicle. New products are announced: Ferrari 458 Italia – the first racing wheel with official Microsoft Corporation -Xbox 360®- and Ferrari licenses; the high-end TH8 RS independent gear shifter, featuring versatile H-pattern and sequential shift plate options; as well as a new Disney-licensed Princess range of accessories.

2011 – September:

Live from the F1 Grand Prix in Monza, Italy, Thrustmaster unveils its new official Ferrari-licensed products: the FERRARI F1 WHEEL INTEGRAL T500 and the FERRARI F1 WHEEL ADD-ON .